(Jewish Telegraphic Agency)
A tribune for voicing the grievances of the rational minorities in the new and enlarged states of Europe was elected in Geneva with the opening of the third International Congress of National Minorities yesterday.
At the second session of the Congress addresses describing the situation of the minorities were delivered by Dr. Wilfan who presided, Professor Schiemann, representing the German Minorities and Dr. Leo Motzkin representing the Jewish minorities.
In his address Dr. Wilfan pointed to the growing significance of the national minorities movement in all countries. The national minorities question is the question of the fate of Europe, he stated. It can be satisfactorily solved only with the participation of all parties directly concerned. “We pursue a European policy and embody the voice of mankind.” he declared.
Professor Schiemann, speaking in behalf of the German minorities, urged equal treatment for the strong and weak minorities. “The national minorities movement works for peace and national consciousness,” he stated.
Dr. Motzkin described to the Congress the proceedings of the Conference on Jewish Rights held last week in Zurich. “This conference occupied itself not only with Jewish questions but mainly with general questions pertaining to all minorities. The fate of the minorities is common to all,” he declared.
Dr. Motzkin welcomed the Congress on behalf of the Zurich Conference and stated: “The delegates in Zurich pledged their support for the cause of the national minorities and you must do the same.”
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